1 Thessalonians 4:1-12

Transcription

1 1 1 Thessalonians 4:1-12, Week 7 Sunday, October 22 nd, Thessalonians 4:1-12 Finally, then, brothers, we ask and urge you in the Lord Jesus, that as you received from us how you ought to walk and to please God, just as you are doing, that you do so more and more. 2 For you know what instructions we gave you through the Lord Jesus. 3 For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you abstain from sexual immorality; 4 that each one of you know how to control his own body in holiness and honor, 5 not in the passion of lust like the Gentiles who do not know God; 6 that no one transgress and wrong his brother in this matter, because the Lord is an avenger in all these things, as we told you beforehand and solemnly warned you. 7 For God has not called us for impurity, but in holiness. 8 Therefore whoever disregards this, disregards not man but God, who gives his Holy Spirit to you. 9 Now concerning brotherly love you have no need for anyone to write to you, for you yourselves have been taught by God to love one another, 10 for that indeed is what you are doing to all the brothers throughout Macedonia. But we urge you, brothers, to do this more and more, 11 and to aspire to live quietly, and to mind your own affairs and to work with your hands, as we instructed you, 12 so that you may walk properly before outsiders and be dependent on no one. Last week we mentioned how Paul longed to see the Thessalonians and supply what was lacking in their faith. The phrase supply what is lacking was to be understood to mean a strengthening in the faith Paul desired to impart to them perhaps by way of preaching and encouragement. As we study the last two chapters of the book of 1 Thessalonians, we will see Paul focus in on more ethical instruction. In other words, Paul is about to present some very black and white truths to aid in and supply the Thessalonians towards a life of holiness. Paul and the missionaries had previously instructed the believers on how they ought to walk and please God but now he pleads for them to do so more and more. Paul uses these very same Greek words, more and more, again in 4:10 as he beseeches them to continue to love one another and to do this more and more. By the way, if you re beginning to feel like Paul s writing reads like a song on repeat when it comes to urging the

2 2 Thessalonians to continue to love, you are on point. Paul obviously felt he must stress the importance of these matters and the importance of not just doing them but continuing to do them more and more. The first portion of the phrases, you do so more (4:1) and to do more (4:10) come from the Greek word pĕrissĕuō, meaning to super abound (in quantity or quality), be in excess, (have more) abundance (be more) abundant, exceed, excel, increase, remain (over and above). 1 Whereas the second phrase, and more (4:1; 4:10) is the Greek word mallŏn, meaning more (in a greater degree). 2 Using these Greek words as our guide, would you allow this paraphrase for emphasis? We urge you in the Lord Jesus to super abound and excel to an even greater degree in a life pleasing to God, as we ve taught you. Remain in a state of abundant holy living. Let your love increase - going over and above. Sometimes, Christians want to hear new truth when what they need is exhortation to press on to greater experiencing of old truths which they are already practicing to a limited degree. 3 The only day we will be able to claim that we have arrived spiritually will be the day that we enter glory with Jesus. Until then, would you allow the words more and more to spur you on into greater Kingdom living? Seek to please God more and more. Love people...more and more. Do the right thing more and more. Obey more and more. Persevere more and more. Fight the good fight more and more. Pray more and more. Trust God more and more. 1 Strong, J. (1996). The New Strong s Dictionary of Hebrew and Greek Words. Nashville: Thomas Nelson. 2 Strong, J. (1996). The New Strong s Dictionary of Hebrew and Greek Words. Nashville: Thomas Nelson. 2 Strong, J. (1996). The New Strong s Dictionary of Hebrew and Greek Words. Nashville: Thomas Nelson. 3 Constable, T. L. (1985). 1 Thessalonians. In J. F. Walvoord & R. B. Zuck (Eds.), The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures (Vol. 2, p. 700). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.

3 3 As for why we should even bother with the work more and more often requires of us, remember that the instructions we have, like those to the believers in Thessalonica are from the Lord Jesus. Paul already alluded to the authority from which the instruction originated in 4:1, we ask and urge you in the Lord Jesus. Here he pushes it again as if assuring the Thessalonians they aren t merely seeking to please and honor man, but God. However, the term instructions in 4:2 does not derive from the same Greek word as was used in v.1. This is a stronger noun connoting authority and commanding obedience. It was used in military contexts of orders issued to subordinates. 4 The church at Thessalonica knew what to do they just needed to keep doing it. 3 For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you abstain from sexual immorality; 4 that each one of you know how to control his own body in holiness and honor, 5 not in the passion of lust like the Gentiles who do not know God; 6 that no one transgress and wrong his brother in this matter, because the Lord is an avenger in all these things, as we told you beforehand and solemnly warned you. 7 For God has not called us for impurity, but in holiness. 8 Therefore whoever disregards this, disregards not man but God, who gives his Holy Spirit to you. (1 Thess. 4:3-8) One need not be an ardent rule follower to appreciate the words: for this is the will of God. There are many life decisions that require a laboring in prayer if we deeply desire to gain insight on the will of God for our lives. Thus, we can rejoice and shout a hallelujah when there is no debate concerning the will of God. This is the clear will of God your sanctification. Holy living is the perfect pleasing will of God for our lives. Paul gets practical by getting specific on discussing an indisputable area for holy living: sexual immorality. Sexual immorality is one subject matter Christians do not address well inside the very four walls where it should be addressed the Church. It s the area where Satan has beaten many to a bloody pulp and left us bound in chains of shame. Of course, we don t want to talk about it the last thing many of us have felt is clean. Which is precisely why the Church must exhort and encourage believers in this area. Sexual sin has devastating consequences that need to be discussed and taught within the church. Many need to be comforted and encouraged to know nothing is beyond the grace and redemption of the Lord God Almighty. Sexual immorality is a broad title that can include many things such as: adultery, premarital intercourse, and homosexuality. For a resource on Christianity in relation to samesex attraction see 4 Martin, Michael D. 1, 2 Thessalonians. Edited by E. Ray Clendenen, B&H Publishing Group, The New American Commentary.

4 4 Of all the subjects he could have chosen, why did Paul address the church at Thessalonica in this way? John R. W. Stott presents substantial reasoning for Paul s position: It is not surprising that the apostle begins with sex, not only because it is the most imperious of all our human urges, but also because of the sexual laxity even promiscuity of the Graeco-Roman world. Besides, he was writing from Corinth to Thessalonica, and both cities were famed for their immorality. In Corinth, Aphrodite, the Greek goddess of sex and beauty, whom the Romans identified with Venus, sent her servants out as prostitutes to roam the streets by night. Thessalonica, on the other hand, was particularly associated with the worship of deities called the Cabiri, in whose rites gross immorality was promoted under the name of religion. 5 Thus, the environment and culture Paul was surrounded by gave him good reason to address the issue of sexual immorality and how believers ought to live concerning it. Gentile converts to Christianity had to struggle with the demands of what was to them a new sexual ethic, while continuing to live in a permissive society. One of the greatest challenges for a new convert, no doubt, was living according to the truth that God s word, not Hellenistic norms, must govern the behavior of God s followers. 6 Not much has changed for the Church today as we are faced with the same obstacle of living counter to our culture. Understanding the second infinitival clause in this passage is complicated by several factors. First, it is uncertain whether Paul intended vv.4-5 as an elaboration of v.3b or as a second illustration of sanctified living. 7 Complicating the matter more is that there is considerable debate over the meaning of the word body in 4:4. The Greek word body here is skĕuŏs, which can be defined as a vessel, equipment or apparatus or figuratively as a wife as contributing to the usefulness of the husband. 8 Some scholars have difficulty seeing the word translated to mean wife since it is a word suggesting an object. While others do not see the difficulty, due to the fact that many Jewish writings use the word vessel when referencing a woman or wife. 9 An example of a translation that reads the text to mean, wife would be the RSV translation: that each one of you know how to take a wife for himself in holiness and honor 10 (1 Thess. 4:4). Supporting Scripture 1 Cor. 6:13-20; 1 Cor. 10:13 1 Cor. 7:8. Paul saw great benefits to celibacy and singleness. For additional encouragement Google, Sam Allberry, The Gospel and singleness. Sam is a TGC editor, speaker, and pastor in Maidenhead, UK. 5 Stott, John R. W. The Message of Thessalonians: The Gospel & the End of Time. Edited by Motyer, J.A. (OT) and Stott, John R.W. (NT), Inter-Varsity Press. The Bible Speaks Today Series. 6 Martin, Michael D. 1, 2 Thessalonians. Edited by E. Ray Clendenen, B&H Publishing Group, The New American Commentary. 7 Ibid. 8 Strong, J. (1996). The New Strong s Dictionary of Hebrew and Greek Words. Nashville: Thomas Nelson. 9 Martin, Michael D. 1, 2 Thessalonians. Edited by E. Ray Clendenen, B&H Publishing Group, The New American Commentary 10 The Revised Standard Version. (1971). (1 Th 4:4). Oak Harbor, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc.

5 5 Though the precise conduct commanded is a bit vague to us today, the character of the conduct commanded is clear and is applicable to the church regardless of the exact interpretation of skĕuŏs. The Christian must behave in a way that is holy and honorable. 11 Being self-controlled in our bodies is certainly behavior that would be deemed holy by God while simultaneously noticed in a culture that does not know God (1 Thess. 4:5). If we interpret 4:4-8 as a continuation of Paul s original plea to abstain from sexual immorality, then we see a remaining argument pointing out the harm done to others when sexual sin is committed. Sexual immorality wrongs the partner in the forbidden act by involving him or her in behavior contrary to God s will and therefore under His judgment. Two or more people practicing sex out of God s will are calling God s wrath down on themselves (Heb. 13:4). The initiator of the act takes advantage of his partner in sin by fanning the fire of passion till self-control is lost. 12 As stated previously, the consequences of sexual sin are grievous therefore, we d be negligent if we failed to address them soberly. Yet, it is critical we rest in the truth that nothing in our lives is beyond the redemption of the Cross. People can be renewed- marriages can be saved and the Church needs to be the one opening her doors and pointing to the pathway of restoration. Paul closes his appeal over the subject by reminding us that God has not called us to impurity but holiness. Therefore in 4:8, translates a strong inferential participle. Since God called believers to sanctified rather than immoral behavior, living immorally constituted a rejection of God. 13 In Galatians 5:16-17, Paul reminds us that we are to walk by the Spirit and not gratify the desires of the flesh the desires of the Spirit are against the desires of the flesh. He then goes on in Galatians chapter 5 to list the desires of the flesh in contrast with the fruit of the Spirit. It s not surprising then that in 1 Thessalonians 4:8 he reminds us that God gives us the Holy Spirit. How on earth are we to remain pure in a society darkened with great sexual immorality? By the power and enabling of the Holy Spirit. If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit. Galatians 5:25 11 Martin, Michael D. 1, 2 Thessalonians. Edited by E. Ray Clendenen, B&H Publishing Group, The New American Commentary 12 Constable, T. L. (1985). 1 Thessalonians. In J. F. Walvoord & R. B. Zuck (Eds.), The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures (Vol. 2, pp ). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books. 13 Martin, Michael D. 1, 2 Thessalonians. Edited by E. Ray Clendenen, B&H Publishing Group, The New American Commentary

6 6 9 Now concerning brotherly love you have no need for anyone to write to you, for you yourselves have been taught by God to love one another, 10 for that indeed is what you are doing to all the brothers throughout Macedonia. But we urge you, brothers, to do this more and more, 11 and to aspire to live quietly, and to mind your own affairs and to work with your hands, as we instructed you, 12 so that you may walk properly before outsiders and be dependent on no one. (1 Thess. 4:9-12) The Thessalonians receive a striking affirmation from Paul in 4:9-10 that any church today would be grateful to be known for. Loving others was what they had been doing throughout Macedonia. Paul s exhortation was that they continue to do so more and more. When we get tired of loving we draw strength from the Source of love and love more. Recalling how great the Father s love is for us is the catalyst that prompts a continued love for our neighbor. In a technologically crazed culture where so much of life is lived out loud, could there be any greater need of the same reminder to us as what was directed to the Thessalonians to live a quiet life? As if living a quiet life weren t challenging enough before, now we ve gotten drunk on the i iphone, ipad, and ipod. We decided that holding our devices was too complicated so now we wear them on our wrist. While the developments in technology are fascinating and often helpful, they have not paved the way for a quiet life, they ve made it more challenging. We desperately need to hear from God and meditate on His Word but we are distracted. And it s not just that we are in a rabid frenzy- we are unable to mind our own affairs because of the experts social media has made of us on minding the affairs of others. Lord help. What we need is a glass of cold water poured over our heads to sober us up and for Someone to hit the reset button. While good can potentially come from the very objects that have distracted us, it s going to take a constant renewal and transforming of the mind (Rom. 12:3) or else we risk being preoccupied with everything but Jesus. In closing this section, after exhorting the Thessalonians to live quietly and mind their own affairs, Paul encourages them to work honestly setting an example before outsiders. A man who is willing to work with his hands demonstrates his love for his brethren by being willing to humble himself to provide for his own needs so that he does not depend on others

7 7 but provides for himself. 14 This type of character is noted and appreciated by others. Paul modeled this well for the believers as he himself sought to live a lifestyle that would not be burdensome to others (1 Thess. 2:9; 2 Thess. 3:7-9). The exhortations from 4:1-12 could be summarized by stating that Paul s overall desire was to urge the Thessalonians to live by the instruction previously given to them instructions that were authoritatively given through the Lord Jesus (1 Thess. 4:2). They were to abound in a life holy and pleasing to God. A holy life that exhibited sexual purity with a continued love for others and honest work. A life contrary to those who don't know God. Paul s words are immensely applicable for the Church today as they were for the Thessalonians. 14 Constable, T. L. (1985). 1 Thessalonians. In J. F. Walvoord & R. B. Zuck (Eds.), The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures (Vol. 2, p. 703). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.